OBJECTIVES: I. Study the relationship between dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and disorders of mood, vegetative function, and cognition in patients with Cushing's disease.

II. Identify subgroups of patients with Cushing's disease who differ in the presence and severity of the depressive syndrome, and uncover HPA axis dysregulation differences among them using corticotropin-releasing hormone, metyrapone, and dexamethasone challenge testing.

Further study details as provided by National Center for Research Resources (NCRR):

Estimated Enrollment:

8

Study Start Date:

July 1994

Detailed Description:

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: All patients receive a psychiatric evaluation at baseline, as well as assessments of plasma adrenocorticotropin, beta lipotropin, beta endorphin, and cortisol, and urinary cortisol. Peptide and steroid assays are performed, alone and in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone, metyrapone, and dexamethasone. Patients are given sleep electroencephalograms at baseline and 1 year following treatment.

A weight maintenance diet is prescribed for all patients.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

20 Years to 60 Years (Adult)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

Patients aged 20 to 60 with spontaneous active Cushing's syndrome

At least 2 weeks since medication with psychoactive effects or influence on cortisol metabolism by hepatic hydroxylating enzyme induction

Antihypertensives allowed for severe hypertension

No barbiturates

No phenytoin

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00004334